First phase of Jharkhand assembly polls underway, 638 candidates competing for 43 seats

Jharkhand Election 2024 (The Uttam Hindu): Voting for the 81-member state legislative assembly in Jharkhand commenced on Wednesday, November 13, with elections held in 43 constituencies. Of these, 17 are general seats, 20 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes, and six are reserved for Scheduled Castes. The remaining 38 constituencies will vote in the second phase of polling on November 20.

**Jharkhand Election 2024 Live Updates**

- **PM Modi urges voters, congratulates first-time voters**

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the people of Jharkhand to vote with "full enthusiasm" in the ongoing assembly elections. In a post on X, he congratulated first-time voters, saying, "Remember - first vote, then refreshment!" He emphasized the importance of participating in the "festival of democracy."

- **Mahua Maji, JMM candidate, promises transformation of Ranchi**

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Mahua Maji appealed to voters to cast their ballots in large numbers. Maji, a current Rajya Sabha MP, aims to bring development to Ranchi, which she believes doesn’t yet reflect its status as the state capital. She is challenging BJP's CP Singh in the election, bringing her experience in parliamentary debates and advocacy on energy issues to her campaign.

- **CM Hemant Soren accuses BJP of shadow campaign**

Chief Minister Hemant Soren accused the BJP of spending "crores of rupees" on a covert advertising campaign to damage his image and the state's reputation. Soren claimed that ads worth ₹72 lakh were circulated via accounts like "Jharkhand Chaupal" and "Ranchi Chaupal," which he believes were designed to spread religious tension and create division. Despite lodging a complaint with the Election Commission, no action was taken, he said.

- **Amit Shah appeals for record voter turnout**

Union Home Minister Amit Shah called on voters to cast their ballots in record numbers to build a "corruption-free, developed Jharkhand." He emphasized the importance of voting for the protection of tribal identity, women's security, and youth employment. Shah urged voters to choose "Roti-Beti-Mati" before refreshments, stressing the significance of the first vote.

- **Mock polling successfully conducted**

Election officials conducted mock polls across various booths to ensure smooth operations for the first phase of voting. "We are fully prepared, and all voters are welcome," said Nitasha, the Presiding Officer at Polling Booth Number 291.

- **JMM expresses confidence ahead of Phase 1 voting**

JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya expressed optimism ahead of the Phase 1 election, saying that the party would receive overwhelming support from the people. The JMM, led by Hemant Soren, is part of a broader alliance that includes Congress, RJD, and CPI(ML).

- **ED arrests three in money laundering linked to infiltration case**

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested three individuals in connection with a money laundering investigation related to an alleged "illegal infiltration" case. During raids at 17 locations across two neighboring states, authorities recovered fake Aadhaar cards, forged passports, illegal arms, property documents, cash, jewelry, and machinery used for document forgery. The infiltration issue has been a key topic in the NDA's election campaign in Jharkhand.